Retrospec Sedona meditation cushion review
Buckwheat hulls you can add or remove, in a washable cotton cover.
A buckwheat hull meditation cushion with a zipped inner compartment for adding or removing fill, in a machine washable cotton cover.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fill | Sustainable buckwheat hulls |
| Adjustment | Unzip the inner compartment to add or remove hulls to set firmness |
| Cover | 100 percent cotton, machine washable |
| Handle | Sturdy carry handle |
| Uses | Meditation, relaxation and general support |
Specifications above come from Retrospec's published product specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Adjustable fill is the feature. Sitting height is individual, it changes as your hips open over months, and a cushion you can tune beats a fixed one at any price.
- Buckwheat hulls mould to you and then hold, which is exactly what a seat needs to do over a twenty minute sitting.
- A cotton cover rather than synthetic, machine washable, which matters for something that lives on a floor.
- The handle means it moves around the house, and a cushion that moves is a cushion that gets used.
- Priced under $50, it is cheap enough to buy before you are sure the habit will stick, which is the correct order.
Where it falls short
- It is a cushion, not a set. On a bare wooden or tiled floor your ankles and knees are still on the floor, and a folded blanket or a zabuton underneath is what makes long sittings possible.
- Buckwheat settles. Expect to top it up or redistribute it after a few months, which is exactly what the zip is for and is also a small chore.
- Buckwheat is noisy. It rustles when you move, which is briefly distracting in a very quiet room.
- The listing describes it as boosting circulation and maintaining posture. The posture part is fair; treat the rest as marketing.
- No dimensions are given in the feature list. Check the current listing measurements, since cushion diameter matters as much as height for cross-legged sitting.
What owners report
Owners consistently report that being able to adjust the fill is what made the cushion work for them, and consistently mention needing to add or redistribute hulls after a few months. The cotton cover draws good reports for washing. The most common addition afterwards is something underneath it, which is the pattern that leads people to zabutons and folded blankets.
Whether you want a cushion at all depends on how you sit, and our meditation cushion vs bench and bolster vs cushion comparisons both cover it. The sittings themselves matter more than the seat, and meditation for beginners plus the free timer are where to start. Never practise breath holds in or near water.
Who it suits
- Anyone starting a floor sitting practice.
- People whose sitting height they have not worked out yet.
- Sitters on carpet or a rug rather than bare boards.
- Buyers who want a washable natural cover.
Who should skip it
- Bare hard floors without something underneath.
- Kneeling sitters, who want a bench.
- Anyone bothered by the rustle of buckwheat.
Alternatives worth considering
Adds the padded mat that this cushion needs on a hard floor, which is the part most people buy second.
Check price on AmazonIf cross-legged sitting is the problem rather than the height, kneeling on a bench avoids the hip position entirely.
Check price on AmazonSofter and more useful for restorative work, and it can be straddled like a bench. Less good as a firm daily seat.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
Why is adjustable fill useful?
Because the right sitting height is individual and it changes. Tighter hips need more height, and as your hips open over months you may want less. A fixed cushion gives you one answer, and a zipped one lets you find yours and change it later.
Do you need something under a meditation cushion?
On a hard floor, usually yes. The cushion raises your hips and does nothing for your ankles and knees, which take the weight at the edges. A folded blanket costs nothing and does the job, and a zabuton does it better.
Is buckwheat better than foam?
For a seat, yes. Buckwheat moulds to you and then holds its shape, so your position stays the same through a sitting. Foam compresses under sustained weight, which slowly changes your pelvic angle. Buckwheat is heavier and it rustles, and it is the traditional choice for good reason.
How often do you need to top up the hulls?
Every few months for a daily sitter, and much less often for occasional use. Hulls compress and settle, so the cushion gradually loses height. Redistributing the existing fill often solves it before you need to add more.
Keep reading
- Meditation cushion vs bench
- Bolster vs cushion
- Meditation for beginners
- Zafu and zabuton set review
- Mudra Crafts meditation bench review
- Gaiam yoga bolster review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.